From the Editor

It still baffles me that my mother and father nabbed our sweet little home in Elmhust, Illinois, for under $40,000. Imagine that! That was back in the ’70s. The house was paid off long ago, but I can’t help but think of how different times were back then and how challenging they seem to be now, especially when it comes to the issue of home buying—and home “keeping.” This week, we dive into the housing crisis, specifically foreclosures. Have they hit a peak? Beginning in News, we illuminate the issue, talking to locals who have been affected by the crisis. Then, in this week’s cover story, writer Patrick Dwire goes in-depth on the matter, highlighting the fact that foreclosures in Santa Cruz hit an all-time high in 2010. Dwire also talks to locals who’ve manuevered through what seems like a sea of paperwork with banks to prevent a foreclosure. (One woman’s tale is particularly interesting to note.) We also spotlight a local hero making good efforts on this front. And be sure to see page 17 for a list of local programs geared toward assisting those in need of help. Be a part of the dialogue: Send us your thoughts about housing, the foreclosure crisis and more at [email protected]

Elsewhere, an update about Bryan Stow. Some of you may have read the reports late last week that the local paramedic was severly beaten by two men outside of Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. He suffered severe head injuries and was placed in a medically induced coma. His condition is stable but still critical. Locals have rallied together to help Stow and his family—he’s a father of two. At 7 p.m. Monday, April 11 at El Palomar in Santa Cruz, there will be silent auction, raffle, food and drink specials, autographed Giants’ paraphernalia, and more. There is also a growing Facebook presence to help Stow. Log onto “Our Prayers Are With Bryan Stow” or “Bryan Stow Family Relief” to learn more about how to pitch in and/or lend support. A fund has also been set up at cuswirl.com. Godspeed …

In regard to Tom Honig’s “Newspapers Fight For Survival in the Digital World” last week, the main driving interest from a monetizable perspective of digital content distribution is behavioral advertising. Every time you visit a website (or for that matter turn on your TV if you have set-top box, data points are collected. Unless you are a very sophisticated hacker, your IP address is tracked, your every online move is followed. And “private browsing” doesn’t keep you anonymous from websites.

One sector with robust Initial Public Offering activity these days is aforementioned behavioral advertising and its associated technologies. Facebook is testing real-time targeted advertising, distributing targeted ads based on real-time user commenting. We do not know how the dust will settle on this new industry, whether the FCC will enter the fray or not, or whether the industry can put forth acceptable self-regulatory standards. Either way, monetizing collected data points will be as explosive as it is financially lucrative.

Online content delivery is a nascent work in progress, with enabling and disrupting technologies. We are not stopping at tablet displays, flexible displays that can be bended and folded are five to 10 years away from broad market introduction. We are in the midst of a revolution among content aggregators and legacy publishers, with digital rights management at the legal forefront.

In 2011, hard copy, that is, print media, remains popular with advertisers. Good Times itself is indicative of this. The likely short-term scenario is hard copy becomes premium “sampler” content of fuller online coverage. When Good Times goes all digital, or out of business because they can’t monetize digital, we’ll know the print media gig is up.

Thanks for the excellent coverage of the Bears. Yes, it’s got more “wins” than any grade-schoolers’ feel-good sports program.

However, I was distressed to read that portobello mushrooms are no longer being distributed because “nobody” eats them.

For me, one the the great delights of being a Bear is getting food that I would not ordinarily buy. Indeed, I loved getting the giant chocolatey portobellos for omelettes, spinach salads, and rice dishes, and have

noticed their absence.

How about sending a crate or bagful of the mushrooms out with each driver, to be distributed upon request? I’ll take some off your hands! This would also keep the fragile treat from drifting to the the bottom of the bag, adding a couple more “wins” to the program. Heck, give me the whole bag and I’ll make soup!

Jane Walton

Santa Cruz

Here Comes the Sun

Wow, what a great article (Solar Technologies, GT 3/24). I’ve worked in solar for several years now and that was probably the best article I’ve read explaining how grid-tied and off-grid solar works. It’s such a natural idea to connect EVs with solar. Together EVs both run clean on the road and “refuel” on clean renewable energy.

Liz Frantz

Santa Cruz

Last week, The Durb crooned Elton John’s “Rocket Man” and managed to escape a double elimination round—Thia Megia and Naima Adedapo were sent packing. This week, as the wannabes begin to fade, the competition becomes a bit more fierce. We’re thinking The Durb’s toughest rivals may be Paul McDonald and Pia Toscano. It’s just a matter of time for Stefano—no matter how dashing he looks in a vest—and Casey Abrams, although pretty darn good, still needs a good shave. Is it us, or is it just a bit funky to really embrace the dude? (Just saying.) Read an extended Durb Watch on Thursdays and Fridays at goodtimesantacruz.com.